Bernards Township discussion centers on police foundation; officials say they will not accept donations pending vetting

At a July 29 Bernards Township Committee meeting in Basking Ridge, residents and committee members debated whether the Bernards Township Law Enforcement Fund (BTLEF) should provide donations to the township police department.

Paul Witte, an attorney and Bernards Township resident, told the committee he was "shocked to see Deputy Mayor McNally's comments made in a public forum" and asked whether the deputy mayor was speaking for the committee when he said the police would not accept BTLEF donations. Witte said the BTLEF is a registered 501(c)(3) and "is not an arm of the municipality," and asked the committee to clarify its position.

Committee members and the mayor emphasized the need for vetting. "I'm not aware of any policy that prohibits donations," a committee member noted, pointing to finance-page entries showing past donations for items such as veterans banners and police equipment. Anna Duarte McCarthy, a committee member, said the BTLEF's mission and bylaws were still being developed and recommended that the group consult nonprofit-governance experts; she warned that "a municipal official sitting on a foundation... could create a conflict of interest."

Committee member Andrew said the township already funds the police department with tax dollars and argued that accepting outside funds could impose administrative burdens. "Therefore, it is my firm and unwavering position that the township will not accept any money or any other resource from the Bernards Township Law Enforcement Fund," he said.

Mayor Fields said she had not been briefed on the fund's bylaws or mission and reiterated several times that "so right now, we're not taking any money from the organization," while also stressing that any decision to accept donations would have to be vetted and supported by documentation such as bylaws and mission statements. The mayor and other members referred questions about formal conflict determinations to the township attorney.

Witte said he had emailed the deputy mayor and the committee and received no response; he asked the committee to confirm whether comments made by the deputy mayor were personal or committee positions. No formal vote on accepting donations was on the meeting agenda, and the committee did not take a formal vote to adopt a policy during the session.

The committee proceeded with the rest of its agenda, adopting several ordinances and approving the consent agenda. The matter of the BTLEF was characterized by residents and several committee members as requiring additional vetting of the group's mission, bylaws and governance before the township would accept any donations.